Day of Joy and Reflection

We had the honor of being invited by Major General Glenn K. Reith, Adjutant General of New Jersey to help welcome the 1-150th Aviation Helicopter Battalion home at the Trenton War Memorial yesterday morning. There was a great crowd of family, friends along with elected officials, American Legion and various military and veteran groups.

We had the great pleasure of meeting Governor-Elect Christie and presenting him with a CPL Steven R. Koch Challenge Coin during a pre-event reception. He took the time to pass his concern and gratitude to CPL Koch and all the fallen heroes of our State and Country.

Chris Christie’s passion and respect for service to others came through directly from the heart and was greatly received by the returning brave men and women of the 1-150 AHB. He along with Senator Bob Menendez provided valuable respect and reinsurance to the troops, their leaders and the families that stand by their soldier. Congratulations to Battalion Commander COL John W. Scannell, Unit Commanders and all members of the 1-150th AHB on all the success and accomplishments in Iraq and remember that those there to welcome you will always be thankful of your dedication and sacrifice.

Also in attendance to honor returning service personnel was our dear friend Theresa Sareo who sang “God Bless the USA”. Her ability to capture the audience with her persona and voice is a true inspiration of her pledge to help others and individual dedication to her mission on earth. The Koch family along with Dennis and Marion Zilinski who also attended to welcome troops home are so grateful to her with her mentioning and dedicating the song to Gold Star Heroes, LT Dennis W. Zilinski, II and CPL Steven R. Koch. Thank you Theresa and you really are our “Angel of Song and Soul”

The following poem I have worked on over the weekend in honor to all the Fallen Heroes and their grieving families, no matter how long ago they lost their family member. This is my view of what I see and feel. Maybe some will see the light too.

If ever I come to meet your spirit again

Please tell me the story of your bravery end

Soul of your life stripped from you so fast

Leaving us to question “how long can we last”

Your life led such a bright magical light

Growing within you the miraculous fight

Guiding many to your passion as you learn

For you, others safety was always your concern

Black is the day that hooded one makes his claim

Words of agony and begin “it will never be the same”

Your comrades in arms were brave and so true

Loss of you they suffer pain as much as we do

Messengers’ of tragic news endure so much

They live the same pain as the family they touch

News that the boy, our hero, his life has been taken

Filled the house with pain and emotion so shaken

Time strikes twelve as the clock is stone cold

Why has one instant stolen the days of the bold

Overtaking us the weight of loss has crushed us so

Moment has started the rise to the eternal new low.

None of us live on without your days on our mind

This family’s connection no one else could ever find

Haunting reality and the existence of ghostly being

Sensing your presence around is all we are feeling

Waking each morning to a new sense of loss

We hide each feelings masking is our new boss

Don’t try to talk to us as if you know it well

This kind of pain is an overwhelming spell

Feeling the need to try to comfort us with talk

Please stop your step as this is no place to walk

A loss this unimaginable can only be felt

By the close knit that has suffered the dealt

Make no mistake your concern is welcome to hear

Still the cross of our loss is too much for us to bear

Weighted shoulder that was strong with family pride

Home of family tears that continue to be cried

We hold and respect the sacrifice that you pay

We hold the physical form for short day to day

There is no one else that can see what we feel

If we could request a pardon God hear my appeal

Where is justice that seems to hide from us now

Questions needing answers on why where and how

Seeing the color of pain on the sibling and parent

Can you please explain the agony that’s now been sent

I don’t blame or cruse you and placing the blame

The pain suffered by all is of losing one flame

Burning so bright that it has left us in the dark

Still the shadow cast can’t douse his life spark

Sentinel of security has been taken off his post

True warrior, American treasure, bravery is lost

Sting of the defeat has torn at all of our soul

Proud and solemn we all wear stars of the gold

They’ve paid the price of the ultimate fee

Risking their life in the defense of our country

All that we family can ask the legions of mass

The hurt is permanent please don’t expect it to pass

About William Koch Jr.

William Koch Jr. is an East Brunswick resident with 32 years as a member of the IBEW 456-Electricians Union. He is the father of American hero Cpl. Steven R. Koch of the 82nd Airborne Infantry, who was lost in action on March 3, 2008, in Afghanistan. "Together with wife Christine, daughter Lynne and son William, we struggle through the loss of Cpl. Koch every day. The greatest gift is to give your life for others. Cpl. Koch felt so deeply about the protection of those who could not protect themselves that he inspired soldiers in combat as well as his persona for friendship, lending a helping hand, his ever-present smile and most of all, 'Honor Above All.' He is greatly missed by all of us, and our hearts go out to others that have lost members in their service to America." Lynne was lost on 5-6-2010 to affects of PSTD from losing her brother Cpl Steven Koch. She also becomes a Casualty of War.....................

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About this Blog

A blog dedicated to the soldiers, families and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.

About the Authors

Anthony Gonzales Anthony graduated from Middlesex County College in May 2009 with a major in liberal arts/journalism. He has worked for The Home News Tribune for almost three years, starting as a circulation representative for the newspaper.

Lyon Henry is a 15-year veteran of the US Army and the NJ Army National Guard. He has served two consecutive tours in South Korea and a tour in Iraq. Among his military service awards are: the Army Good Conduct Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, and a Meritorious Service Medal. Lyon holds a BA in Information Technology and Informatics from Rutgers University and an MBA in Technology Management from New Jersey Institute of Technology. Lyon currently resides in Piscataway. William Koch Jr. is an East Brunswick resident with 32 years as a member of the IBEW 456-Electricians Union. He is the father of American hero Cpl. Steven R. Koch of the 82nd Airborne Infantry, who was lost in action on March 3, 2008, in Afghanistan. "Together with wife Christine, daughter Lynne and son William, we struggle through the loss of Cpl. Koch every day. Read More About William Koch Jr.

Christine Koch is an East Brunswick resident who has worked in the nursing field for 30 years. She is the Gold Star Mother of Cpl. Steven R. Koch, killed in action in the Sabari District of Afghanistan on March 3, 2008. "Without being a statistic, a mom, too, is a casualty of war, heard in her strangled weeping and guttural pleas to God to ease the pain of losing a child.Read More About Christine Koch

Staff Sgt. Rakene L. Lee is a drill instructor in the U.S. Marine Corps. He graduated from recruit training at Parris Island in 1998, and has trained in Thailand, Korea and Iwo Jima and has deployed to Iraq more than once. He is currently with his third battalion. His personal awards and decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (second award), the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal (third award).